The IRS has loosened restrictions on employees who want to make changes to their group health plans and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) in the middle of the policy year. IRS rules are typically stringent and rigid, barring changes from being made to health plans except during open enrollment. Under the new rules, the employer would […]
IRS Allows Mid-Year Changes to Health Plans, FSAs Read More »
If you are one of the companies that has been deemed an essential employer and are remaining open during stay-at-home orders, you should be doing all you can to protect your workers against contracting COVID-19. While some workers are really on the front lines of fighting the disease, like health care workers and emergency services
Protecting Your Workers During the Pandemic Read More »
Some health insurers are helping business workers in group plans maintain employee benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new survey has found. Social distancing and stay-at-home orders have put the hurt on hundreds of thousands of businesses across the country, which has forced them to reduce employees’ hours, furlough them or lay them off. Besides
Some Insurers Step Up Group Health Plan Assistance Read More »
The novel coronavirus that broke out in the winter has caused immeasurable suffering, both physical and economic. For employers struggling to stay in business, this is a fraught time where mistakes in managing their workforces could lead to employee lawsuits. Here are 10 potential trouble spots to watch for. Workplace safety – Businesses that still have
10 Potential Causes of Employee COVID-19 Lawsuits Read More »
A number of plan sponsors have made changes to their group health plans in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as covering testing and sometimes treatment without any cost-sharing by the plan enrollee. But any changes that are made must be followed up by amending the plan and communicating the changes to the enrollees. Under
COVID-19 Changes to Health Plans Must Be Documented, Circulated Read More »
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued new guidance regarding how Medicare Advantage and Part D plans can respond to enrollees affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Under the guidance, the plans are authorized, but not required to waive out-of-pocket costs for testing, treatment and other services related to the coronavirus. The rules come
Medicare Advantage, Part D Plans Get COVID-19 Leeway Read More »
The IRS has issued new emergency guidance that allows insurers to waive the cost of coronavirus testing and treatment for individuals who are enrolled in high-deductible health plans (HDHPs). Major health insurers report they’ve been concerned that if they can make the change to their high-deductible plans without breaching IRS regulations regarding such plans. Specifically,
IRS Allows HDHPs to Pay for COVID-19 Testing, Treatment Pre-Deductible Read More »
The $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act stimulus law to help American workers and businesses weather the outbreak has a number of provisions that employers and their workers need to know about and can take advantage of during this crisis. The CARES Act includes provision for: Extended unemployment benefits. Requiring health
CARES Act Helps Coronavirus-affected Employers, Employees Alike Read More »
Legislation signed into law by President Trump will extend sick leave benefits for workers who are sickened by the coronavirus, as well as provide for additional weeks of time off under the Family Medical Leave Act so they can be guaranteed of being able to return to their jobs afterwards. Public and private employers alike
New Law Requires COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave, FMLA Benefits Read More »
As the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus gains momentum and potentially begins to spread in North America, employers will have to start considering what steps they can take to protect their workers while fulfilling their legal obligations. Employers are in a difficult position because it is likely that the workplace would be a significant
Employer Guide for Dealing with the Coronavirus Read More »
This is the face you make after a minor mishap with filming!
My introduction before Craig Lack is now long lost footage.
That’s show biz, right?!
The good news is that Craig is talking about the strategies we’re both using to help organizations liberate the dollars trapped in their health spend.
I’m available after you watch and learn to talk the nitty gritty – how it works, implementation, executive buy-in and employee adoption.
Happy Watching!
